Listening to podcasts is swiftly becoming a popular way for
learners as well as everyday people to intake and engage on a variety of
topics. Podcast topics are available to teach, entertain and inform. Statistics show
that over 50% of US online radio listeners access podcasts at least once a
month. So what is a podcast? A podcast is simply put, an audio
recording that is streamed in an online format that can be accessed through
computers and mobile devices. It's easy to access and allows the listener to
stay mobile in the car, on commute, doing chores or sit in a waiting room while
listening to a podcast.
There are two ways that you can implement a podcast into your course. First, you can curate podcast content through sourcing professionally made podcasts from a variety of sources such as NPR radio lab, TedTalk and iTunes. The other way to include podcasts in your course is to create your own!
Self-created podcasts can be useful for sharing quick class announcements, review or introduce topics, interview guest speakers or create mini-lectures on topical content for your course. You can create your own podcast in a few simple steps:
1. Write a script.
2. Record your podcast
3. Share your podcast.
When writing your script you should follow the basics of writing organization. Introduction
1. Introduction
2. Body
3. Conclusion
Introduction
Briefly explain the purpose of the podcast and perhaps include module or course objectives that the podcast are tied to. What do you hope that your listener is able to understand by the end of the podcast? In a few short statements what topics will you address throughout the podcast? You may even ask them a question to ponder as they listen.
Body
You may want to divide the body into even smaller topical areas. Frame each section with an introductory statement just as you would when writing a well-organized essay.
Conclusion
As with any well written essay or speech you should always draw to a close by briefly reviewing what was discussed. You should follow up with a provocative “food for thought” question or statement.
The Mediasite Portal is where your media will be stored. It is linked to your BroncoNet ID - so it is important to make sure you complete the registration at the end of the MDR download. This will link the account and your media and allow you to access all of your created and uploaded media in any course.
· Find a quiet space
· Check your audio levels
· Create a test recording
· Practice
· Speak slowly
· Review and edit
Upload your podcast to a streaming service such as Mediasite. Loading your audio file to a streaming
services will allow you to share a URL link with students in your course
without the need to download the file. This saves the hassle of downloading a
file and using up valuable space on WMU Elearning servers.
Students can now listen to your podcast as many times as they want on the go!
Buzzsprout: Podcast Hosting. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.buzzsprout.com/how-to-make-a-podcast
There are two ways that you can implement a podcast into your course. First, you can curate podcast content through sourcing professionally made podcasts from a variety of sources such as NPR radio lab, TedTalk and iTunes. The other way to include podcasts in your course is to create your own!
Self-created podcasts can be useful for sharing quick class announcements, review or introduce topics, interview guest speakers or create mini-lectures on topical content for your course. You can create your own podcast in a few simple steps:
1. Write a script.
2. Record your podcast
3. Share your podcast.
Step 1: Write a script
While in the face to face classroom you may be used to talking “off the cuff” and in a spontaneous manner, a successful podcast should have an outline of talking points or a fully planned script.Choose your Topic
You will first want to decide whether you are creating a podcast for a class announcement, reviewing a topic or sharing something new. If you choose to record an informational content driven podcast it's best to keep it separate from a podcast that is making an announcement reminding students of due dates. This way you it's possible to reuse the content driven podcast each semester.Tone
You will want to consider your tone before beginning to write your script. You may choose to deliver content in a more conversational tone or more formal and academic. A conversational tone may be more engaging to the listener. Using similar language to what you would use in class will help to make your students feel more connected with you as the speaker and in turn with the information provided. To achieve a conversational tone think about including anecdotal scenarios, infuse humor or draw parallels and connections between concepts. You might even think about interviewing a guest expert, co-host with a colleague or record a multiple person discussion.Write
First, think about the length in advance with no more than 2-3 minutes for class announcements and no more than 5-10 minutes for content driven podcasts. You can estimate how your word count equates to spoken length by using an online Speech – Words to Minutes calculator.When writing your script you should follow the basics of writing organization. Introduction
1. Introduction
2. Body
3. Conclusion
Introduction
Briefly explain the purpose of the podcast and perhaps include module or course objectives that the podcast are tied to. What do you hope that your listener is able to understand by the end of the podcast? In a few short statements what topics will you address throughout the podcast? You may even ask them a question to ponder as they listen.
Body
You may want to divide the body into even smaller topical areas. Frame each section with an introductory statement just as you would when writing a well-organized essay.
Conclusion
As with any well written essay or speech you should always draw to a close by briefly reviewing what was discussed. You should follow up with a provocative “food for thought” question or statement.
Step 2: Record your podcast
Choose your tools
There are many tools that could be used for recording audio. There is no “right” or “wrong” recording application. The only necessity is that you are able to load your audio on a streaming service such as Mediasite or iTunes. The tools we recommend are Mediasite or Audacity.Mediasite
The Mediasite Desktop Recorder is a tool you can use to make audio and video recordings. This is a tool that is purchased and supported by WMU through Media Services.The Mediasite Portal is where your media will be stored. It is linked to your BroncoNet ID - so it is important to make sure you complete the registration at the end of the MDR download. This will link the account and your media and allow you to access all of your created and uploaded media in any course.
Audacity
Audacity is an easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems and was developed by a group of volunteers as open source. The university does not have built in support for this tool, so you will need to go directly to the Audacity help pages for technical support.Choose a microphone
You will want to select a quality microphone to record. There are many options available that are easy to install and use. One of our favorite recommendations are Logitech[KAD12] plug and play devices. You can easily purchase these from Amazon.com or BestBuy [KAD14] for under $30.Recording tips
Once you have your microphone and recording tool you will want to be sure that you follow a few tips and tricks to enhance your recording experience.· Find a quiet space
· Check your audio levels
· Create a test recording
· Practice
· Speak slowly
· Review and edit
Step 3: Share your podcast
Upload your podcast to a streaming service such as Mediasite. Loading your audio file to a streaming
services will allow you to share a URL link with students in your course
without the need to download the file. This saves the hassle of downloading a
file and using up valuable space on WMU Elearning servers.Students can now listen to your podcast as many times as they want on the go!